I don't think I've ever posted in this section before, up until now I've never really had a reason to. So, first a picture:
This is Frodo- who has always been the most un-Cochiny Cochin I've ever seen (she's quite a homely girl, but I love her). Up until this past week, she's at least been healthy and energetic. Not so much these days. She pretty much stands in some corner of the run all day long looking like the picture above. If I bring back scraps or treats (or even just feed), she'll run around and eat with everyone else. Then she goes right back to standing around looking miserable. I've seen her drink and her poop looks normal. Things I've never seen her do- preen (as you can see in th pic, she's very scraggly and dirty), take a dust bath, scratch- she doesn't seem to do normal chicken things. When let out to free range, she finds an obscure part of the yard and continues wallowing in her misery. She isn't picked on (she also spends alot of time huddled under someones wing like she's cold), I've had no predator issues, no lice/mites. I've been thinking about worming her (which I did in the spring), but I'm afraid to do ANYTHING to stress her. I brought her inside last week and put her in the brooder with a heat lamp and she FREAKED! So back out she went. I've been considering culling her, because I don't know what else to do and she looks like she really feels terrible (I feel like she's suffering and has a low quality of life). I've also been giving her vitamins and special treats. When I pick her up (she loves to be cuddled) she feels very skinny to me. Any ideas what could be up with her? If not, would you cull her? Sorry for the novel, but I wanted to try to give as much insight as possible. Thank you so much in advance. Just to add: I will be doing any and all treatment at home. The vet is not an option for me. I'm fully prepared to do what needs to be done for her, including putting her down if that's what's best
This is Frodo- who has always been the most un-Cochiny Cochin I've ever seen (she's quite a homely girl, but I love her). Up until this past week, she's at least been healthy and energetic. Not so much these days. She pretty much stands in some corner of the run all day long looking like the picture above. If I bring back scraps or treats (or even just feed), she'll run around and eat with everyone else. Then she goes right back to standing around looking miserable. I've seen her drink and her poop looks normal. Things I've never seen her do- preen (as you can see in th pic, she's very scraggly and dirty), take a dust bath, scratch- she doesn't seem to do normal chicken things. When let out to free range, she finds an obscure part of the yard and continues wallowing in her misery. She isn't picked on (she also spends alot of time huddled under someones wing like she's cold), I've had no predator issues, no lice/mites. I've been thinking about worming her (which I did in the spring), but I'm afraid to do ANYTHING to stress her. I brought her inside last week and put her in the brooder with a heat lamp and she FREAKED! So back out she went. I've been considering culling her, because I don't know what else to do and she looks like she really feels terrible (I feel like she's suffering and has a low quality of life). I've also been giving her vitamins and special treats. When I pick her up (she loves to be cuddled) she feels very skinny to me. Any ideas what could be up with her? If not, would you cull her? Sorry for the novel, but I wanted to try to give as much insight as possible. Thank you so much in advance. Just to add: I will be doing any and all treatment at home. The vet is not an option for me. I'm fully prepared to do what needs to be done for her, including putting her down if that's what's best
